Another way you can time the engine (which is usually how I do it after work on the ignition), is reset it. Bring the #1 cylinder to top dead center, and be sure it's on the compression stroke (by feeling pressure build up with your finger in the spark plug hole.)

Look at the timing marks on the front of the engine, and look to see if the mark on the harmonic balancer is pointed directly at 0. (This is just to double check your harmonic balancer is on straight.) After you've confirmed this, move the crank shaft until the timing mark points at the timing you want your engine to be at.

Then, install the distributor so that the rotor is pointing at the #1 spark plug wire. Do this without turning then engine. You may need to try a couple times until you get the distributor to go in, or try a couple different angles on the distributor. It doesn't matter at all which way it goes in, as long as the vacuum advance is accessible, and the rotor is pointed at #1.

Look inside the distributor at the stator (which is the six pronged star shaped part), remove the rotor if it's on, and rotate the distributor slowly and slightly until the arm on the stator if PERFECTLY lined up between the two alignment lines on the magnetic pickup. It's easy to see and do.

Tighten it down, put the arm back on, and put the cap back on. Be sure your spark plug wires are on correctly. Your timing should be perfect without any tools necessary.